The Gainesville Haymarket Youth Football League (GHFYL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a character building program for both boys and girls of the area through fundamental instructions associated with youth tackle football.

A: Any boy or girl 5 years of age and no older than 18 years of age at the end of the calendar year. For example, if your child was born on March 3, 2005 they would be eligible to participate. If the child was born on March 3, 1995 they would be too old to participate.

Q: How do we register our child(ren) to play Spring Flag Football?

A: Go to the ‘Register Online’ area found on the left-hand navigation area on the GHYFL web site home page. All registrations are done online and require payment with a credit card (MasterCard or Visa) using a secure transaction.

Q: What do registration fees cover?

A: Registration fees pay for use of county fields, to pay for game officials, uniform reversible shirts, League insurance, and team equipment.

Q: When does the Spring Flag Football season begin and how long does it carry on?

A: Practice starts the first week of April with games beginning mid-April running through the month of May and into June. Tournament play runs through the second week of June.

Q: Will games be played on Sundays?

A: Most, but some games could be played in the evenings during the week as well.

Q: How early will games start on Sundays?

A: Due to increased interest in Spring Flag Football, it is necessary to begin games as early as 9 AM on Sundays. The League realizes this may conflict with some religious requirements for activities and/or regularly scheduled religious service schedules and apologizes for this situation.

A: The League will supply each coach with balls, flag belts, and marker cones for practice.

Q: Can my child be assigned to the same team as a neighbor?

A: Due to growth in Spring Flag special requests such as this can not be provided.

Q: Where will the games be played?

A: Games for Spring Flag Football will be played at the Grizzly Sports Complex in Nokesville or at Benton Middle School in Manassas.

Q: How are positions determined?
A: Positions are determined by the coaching staff. Each child is provided an opportunity to try out for different positions, and it is the responsibility of each coach to treat each player fairly by placing them in a position that best benefits the team and provides the best experience for each child.

Q: Where will practice sessions take place?

A: The GHYFL has approved access to a few of the local school fields, and it will be the determination of the team coach as to where and when practice sessions take place.

Q: How many nights each week will our child’s team practice?

A: Teams will only be permitted to practice three nights a week before games start and two nights a week after games start, weather permitting.

Q: Can practice and/or games be canceled due to weather conditions?

A: Yes, it is possible that practice and/or games will be cancelled weather conditions. During periods of inclement weather such as heavy rain parent(s)/guardian(s) can call the Prince William County Parks Hotline after 3 PM each date to receive the latest field closure information at 703-792-3282. Games will still be played at the Grizzly Sports Complex even when it rains.

Q: What are the weight restrictions to participate in Spring Flag Football?

A: There are no weight requirements/restrictions to participate in the Spring Flag Football program.

Q: How are the divisions decided upon?

A: Participants are assigned to play in divisions by age as follows: 5/6, 7/8, 9/10, 11/12, 13-15

Q: Can children play outside of their age division?

A: Boys can play in the age division above their age but not below. To ensure the most positive experience for each participant, the League strongly recommends that children participate within their actual age division and therefore play against children of the same level of experience and caliber. Girls are permitted to play down one age division.

Q: Does Flag Football include full contact like tackle football?A: Please keep in mind that Flag Football is a non-contact sport and therefore not the same as regular tackle football.